Chapter 259 Lu Zhaoruo Encounters an Assassin
The next day, Yunshang Pavilion.
In recent days, Meng Xi's visits to Yunshang Pavilion have become a regular occurrence.
He comes every day to have a new garment made, so relaxed and at ease that it seems not like a visit, but a daily ritual.
Today, that languid figure indeed arrived as scheduled.
He still looked listless and unenthusiastic, strolling leisurely and unhurriedly toward the entrance of Yunshang Pavilion, preparing to step into the elegant room he was already familiar with as usual.
However, this time, his path was blocked.
A figure as sharp as a cold blade suddenly appeared in front of the Yunshang Pavilion, separating him from the door.
It was Xiao Yeming.
He was not in military uniform today, but in a dark blue silk robe with dark cloud patterns. The robe was well-tailored and made of fine material, which made his figure appear even more refined and aloof.
Meng Xi glanced at the clothes and immediately realized that they were not made by an ordinary tailor, but must have been personally tailored by Lu Zhaoruo.
Xiao Yeming looked calmly at Meng Xi, his voice steady: "Brother Meng, unfortunately, Zhao Ruo is currently checking important patterns with the Imperial Clothing Bureau and is unable to receive guests today."
He deliberately emphasized the words "inconvenient to receive guests," his gaze sharp as a knife, piercing directly at Meng Xi, his intention to drive the guest away was obvious.
Meng Xi raised an eyebrow at Xiao Yeming, his gaze lazily sweeping over him, lingering for a moment on the other's well-tailored, finely stitched new robe. A slight smile curved his lips as he drawled, "Oh? Is that so..."
A playful glint appeared in his eyes, and his tone remained languid: "General Xiao's new robe today is particularly... flattering. The stitching is fine, and the cut is perfect. It must have taken a lot of effort from Madam Lu, right?"
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yeming lowered his eyes, straightened his cuffs, and said calmly but firmly, "Brother Meng has a good eye. This garment was indeed sewn by Zhaoruo himself."
He paused briefly, looked up at Meng Xi, and added meaningfully, "Moreover, I will personally be by her side, watching her finish every stitch."
The air froze the moment those words were spoken.
Two equally outstanding men met in front of the Cloud Garment Pavilion. One was languid yet sharp, the other cold yet turbulent. A silent contest had begun in an instant.
After a long silence, Meng Xi suddenly chuckled and broke the silence first.
He leaned forward slightly, his voice low and slow: "General Xiao is so vigilant, never leaving her side... Could it be that he... has designs on Lady Lu?"
Xiao Yeming's pupils contracted slightly, but his expression remained calm and composed, his thin lips pressed tightly together, and he did not answer.
Seeing this, Meng Xi's lazy smile deepened, carrying a hint of understanding and undisguised provocation. He said frankly, "General, why be so secretive? I am not as hesitant as you. I am open and honest in my love for Lady Lu, so what is there to be afraid of?"
His tone suddenly shifted, becoming sharp: "However... I've heard that when Madam Lu first arrived in the capital, she temporarily stayed at your residence. Old Madam Xiao personally intervened to arrange the marriage, but you, General... flatly refused?"
He paused deliberately, admiring Xiao Yeming's suddenly tense face, before slowly continuing, "Since you rejected this marriage proposal back then, why are you acting like this now, clinging on so tightly? What's the reason for that?"
"not to mention……"
He added meaningfully, "Your esteemed matriarch seems to have always disliked Madam Lu's background, hasn't she? General, by acting this way, you're not only causing displeasure in your household but also embarrassing Madam Lu."
Having said that, Meng Xi no longer looked at Xiao Yeming's instantly icy expression, chuckled lightly, flicked his sleeves, and turned to leave leisurely.
The figure remained languid, yet carried a hint of smug satisfaction.
Xiao Yeming stood frozen in place, watching Meng Xi's departing figure. Meng Xi's last few words were like poisoned ice picks, piercing deep into the hidden pain in his heart.
Lu Zhaoruo was unaware of what was happening outside.
In the afternoon, the sun was beginning to set.
Lu Zhaoruo put down the last ledger she had just checked, rubbed her slightly swollen temples, and looked out the window.
After a moment's hesitation, she summoned Sun Jing: "Prepare the horses and come with me out of the city."
She needed to personally visit a retired old court weaver in the outskirts of Beijing to learn a nearly lost technique.
The master and servant, traveling light, rode out of the city.
The visit went more smoothly than expected.
The old craftsman lived in a bamboo fence and thatched cottage. He was aloof and his demeanor was cold and distant when we first met him.
However, Lu Zhaoruo was respectful and her insights into weaving techniques were always to the point. The old craftsman's cloudy eyes gradually regained a long-lost gleam, and he finally stroked his beard and pointed out a few key points.
Although it was only a few words, it was like a sudden awakening.
As I left, dusk was approaching, and the distant mountains were tinged with the last vestiges of crimson.
In order to get back before the city gates closed, the two chose a shortcut hidden by trees.
As we walked, we came to a place where ancient trees stood tall by the roadside, their branches intertwined, making the already sparse sunlight even more fragmented.
As dusk settled in, the only sound was the soft rustling of horses' hooves on fallen leaves.
Sun Jing silently held the reins, trailing Lu Zhaoruo by half a horse length, keeping a respectful distance.
His gaze would always fall, involuntarily and quietly, on the slender, upright figure in front of him.
He was always taciturn, keeping all his thoughts buried deep in his heart, except for this silent, ever-present gaze, which followed him like a shadow, yet never overstepped his bounds.
Right here in this tranquility.
Suddenly, a cold glint appeared in the bushes by the roadside!
More than ten masked men in black leaped out silently like ghosts, their figures exceptionally agile and their movements perfectly synchronized. The long, narrow scimitars in their hands gleamed with a cold, eerie light in the twilight, and they charged straight at Lu Zhaoruo without hesitation!
They were dressed in tight-fitting leather armor, with fierce eyes, exuding a valiant spirit different from that of the generals.
An intense killing intent instantly spread, startling the birds in the forest!
"Be careful, my lady!"
Sun Jing's pupils contracted sharply, and as he roared, he drew his sword from his waist with a clang. With a flick of his wrist, the blade flashed towards the two assassins who had charged at him first!
The sound of metal clashing suddenly shattered the tranquility of the twilight!
Lu Zhaoruo felt a chill run down her spine, knowing full well that the newcomers were not friendly and were no ordinary bandits.
She reacted with lightning speed, yanking the reins sharply and squeezing the horse's flanks with her legs, urging her mount to break through from the side! The horse reared up and charged forward!
Unexpectedly, one of the assassins moved with extremely strange speed, flipping in mid-air like a hawk, and with a sharp arc drawn by his curved blade, he cleanly severed the horse reins in Lu Zhaoruo's hand with a soft "whoosh"!
Startled, the horses neighed loudly and went out of control, galloping wildly into the depths of the dense forest!
Lu Zhaoru remained calm in the face of danger. In the instant she lost her balance, she used her waist to exert force, lightly touched the stirrup with her toes, and nimbly flipped off the horse. Although she staggered slightly when she landed, she quickly regained her balance.
As soon as she regained her footing, two other assassins approached from the left and right, wielding their swords with fierce winds, aiming straight for her neck and vital organs in the chest and abdomen!
Lu Zhaoruo's eyes narrowed, and she quickly turned to the side to avoid the knife that was aimed straight at her chest and abdomen. At the same time, she blocked with her left arm, but the heavy force made her arm go numb!
At this critical moment!
"Whoosh—!"
A crossbow bolt struck the right-hand assassin's wrist, which was holding the knife, with perfect accuracy!
With a clang, the curved sword fell to the ground!
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